Overview

Ipriflavone is made in the laboratory from a compound found in the soy plant. In some countries, ipriflavone is available as a prescription. In the United States, ipriflavone is considered a dietary supplement.

Ipriflavone is used for weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis) and for a bone disease that causes pain (Paget disease). Ipriflavone is also used by bodybuilders, but there is no good scientific evidence to support this use.

How does it work ?

Ipriflavone can block part of the process that leads to bone loss.

Ipriflavone can block part of the process that leads to bone loss.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Likely Effective for

  • Weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis). Taking ipriflavone with calcium daily can prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. There is some evidence that it might actually increase bone strength in some of these women, and it also seems to decrease pain from osteoporosis. Taking ipriflavone with estrogen also seems to prevent osteoporosis and increase bone strength in older women. Adding calcium might make this combination work even better.

Possibly Effective for

  • A bone disease that can cause pain (Paget disease). Early research shows that taking ipriflavone might decrease bone pain in some people with Paget disease.

Insufficient Evidence for

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of ipriflavone for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Ipriflavone is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used with proper medical supervision. There is concern that ipriflavone can cause a decreased white blood cell count (lymphocytopenia) in people taking it for greater than six months.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Ipriflavone is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used with proper medical supervision. There is concern that ipriflavone can cause a decreased white blood cell count (lymphocytopenia) in people taking it for greater than six months. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if ipriflavone is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Weak immune system: Ipriflavone can lower the body's white blood cell count, making it more difficult for the body to fight off infection. This is especially concerning in people who already have a weak immune system due to AIDS, drugs used to prevent organ rejection after transplant, chemotherapy, or other causes. If you have a weak immune system, check with your healthcare provider before starting ipriflavone.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates) interacts with IPRIFLAVONE

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Ipriflavone might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking ipriflavone along with some medications that are changed by the liver might increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking ipriflavone, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.

    Some of these medications that are changed by the liver include clozapine (Clozaril), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), fluvoxamine (Luvox), haloperidol (Haldol), imipramine (Tofranil), mexiletine (Mexitil), olanzapine (Zyprexa), pentazocine (Talwin), propranolol (Inderal), tacrine (Cognex), theophylline, zileuton (Zyflo), zolmitriptan (Zomig), and others.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates) interacts with IPRIFLAVONE

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Ipriflavone might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking ipriflavone along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking ipriflavone, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.

    Some medications that are changed by the liver include amitriptyline (Elavil), diazepam (Valium), zileuton (Zyflo), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), fluvastatin (Lescol), glipizide (Glucotrol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), phenytoin (Dilantin), piroxicam (Feldene), tamoxifen (Nolvadex), tolbutamide (Tolinase), torsemide (Demadex), warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

  • Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with IPRIFLAVONE

    Ipriflavone might decrease the immune system. Taking ipriflavone along with other medications that decrease the immune system might decrease the immune system too much. Avoid taking ipriflavone with medications that decrease the immune system.

    Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others.

  • Theophylline interacts with IPRIFLAVONE

    The body breaks down theophylline to get rid of it. Ipriflavone might decrease how quickly the body gets rid of theophylline. Taking ipriflavone along with theophylline might increase the effects and side effects of theophylline.

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:
  • For weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis): 200 mg of ipriflavone three times daily.
  • For a bone disease that can cause pain (Paget disease): 600-1200 mg of ipriflavone daily.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.